Flexible polyurethane foam with well characterized and reproducible smoldering

Published:

March 24, 2012

Abstract:

Smoldering is a self-sustaining heterogeneous oxidation reaction that induces a slow, low temperature, flameless combustion.1 Flexible polyurethane foams (PUF) are particularly prone to smoldering due to their high air permeability and low density. In this study we investigate the effect of PUF cell structure and morphology on smoldering. Our preliminary results show that above a threshold value of air permeability, the specific surface area of PUF might be used to assess smoldering.

Proceedings:

6th Fire and Polymers Symposium

Location:

San Diego, CA

Dates:

March 25-29, 2012

Research Areas:

Building Materials, Polymers/Polymeric Composites, Fire Retardant Polymers, Materials Science, Building and Fire Research